planetf1.com

We were able to take drink with us on race day.... but don't bother trying to take anything into the pitwalk....

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the loon previously known as dr lee

Well Spa was mint, apart from Friday!

Don't think I would camp again though getting too old to be kept up all night by fireworks, shouting and loud music lol

Sat on Kemmel opposite the biggest screen on the track very close to where the supercup crash happened.

Crash spoiled the race tho was pretty boring watching button piss off into the distance!

On the advice of another member, I am reposting my post from a new thread I just started here:

I am a bit of a newbie in terms of F1 but have been following the sport throughout the year and would love to see a race in person. My fiancee and I visited Monaco last year and I was thinking that the Monaco GP would be fun for us both as we both love Monaco and the region. I think that we may make a longer trip out of it and start in Naples and drive up through Italy on our way to Monaco, hitting Rome, Florence, and Maranello along the way.

Since this will be my first F1 event, I would like to get some advice on attending a race and, in particular, the Monaco GP. Any advice would be appreciated. I would like to buy tickets to watch the race, and maybe qualifying, soon, so what I really need to know right now is: If we wanted to watch the race from the grandstands, which grandstand should we choose? I have looked at prices for the grandstands and have decided that we can afford to sit in any of them, so cost is not a driving factor. The most expensive tickets are for the Casino Square grandstand (grandstand "B"), but I don't know if that grandstand is a good place to watch the race, or just expensive because it's in Casino Square. If anyone has watched the race from that grandstand I would love to hear your impressions.

Thanks for your help!

Dave

I would be interested to hear the views of anyone who has been to Spa and sat in a grandstand. I have been 3 times but every time we were GA. As much as there are plenty of great GA spots, I am bored of queueing from 7am to get on the banks early.

What grandstands have people sat in? What where they like? We are pretty much up for any grandstand as they all range from expensive to stupid expensive. Eau Rouge seems tempting, although there appears to be a massive fence in the way. The Chicane looks a good spot too.

I'll be going to my first grand prix in Austin. I'm wondering...should I get my gear online or buy it at the race. I just want a hat and a t-shirt. Will they be twice the price at the race? Seems like shipping (to the US) would make these things even MORE expensive than they already are. I really wish there were better options for getting cool gear.

If the same euro stands travel the gear will be recommended retail price, plus there will be older merchandise for sale at a cheaper price

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McLaren Fan
Go Jenson

Eau Rouge very definitely worth it; from the top (can't remember number)you can see across to the Bus Stop. Fences do not impede view v. much That's 'cos they got 'oles in 'em

So we are looking at going to Barcelona GP next year
has anyone any experience of going there ? got any advice or tips for us ?
also i see the circuit is 20k's away, are there shuttle buses or something laid on to get you there ?
any help guys & girls ?

The first time I went to Spa back in the 90's I too arrived at stupid o'clock, however since then I have arrived much later with GE tickets and never had any problem getting a decent view.

In fact in 2004 we only walked though entrance at the end of the Kemmel straight 90 minutes before the race was due to start and we still got a really good spot just before Pouhon.

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Going to Spa? Check out my site. http://visit-spa-francorchamps.page.tl/
My own Google Earth Motor Sport file. http://www.mediafire.com/?jzm1ieatytv
Follow me @asphalt_world
Oh and Bernie, National flags should be raised not flipped. Sort it!

The Barcelona GP will be great, we may go too. I suggest a rental car as there is parking on site.

Ok cheers I will look into that. It seems to be good value there.

Anyone here been to Montreal? Any idea if you can walk the track the Monday after the race? Any other suggestions for things you have to do in Montreal?

I was there in 2008! I don't believe there's anything to do on the Monday after... the pit walk is on Thursday, as usual. I'm not sure that you can walk the track at all. Possibly immediately after the race ends on Sunday, but don't quote me on it. The entire city turns into a block party that weekend! Tons of restaurants, clubs, activities. It was a great time!

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"Jesus had a Honda. John 12:49: For I did not speak of my own Accord."

Well money is tight at the moment but I could hold out no longer and bought my BGP ticket after last nights race!

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Multi 21 or Catch 22?!

It ain't hating just 'cause it's not love

How much? if you don't mind me asking.

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Lewis is to Twitter what Grosjean is to first corners.

Three day general admission with lively camping £231 with booking fee.. Get you ticket it's gonna be a ball!

More value for money that other sports plus there's a gig in the big top on Saturday night which is always great.

But it direct from Silverstone website for the Woodlands campsite

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Multi 21 or Catch 22?!

It ain't hating just 'cause it's not love

Might have to speak to my wife.

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Lewis is to Twitter what Grosjean is to first corners.

Yeah mine was going to attend but unfortunately childcare for that weekend has fallen through so I will be going instead (best not put a smiley face!)

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Multi 21 or Catch 22?!

It ain't hating just 'cause it's not love

I'd like to go next year if I can afford it at that point, I've been to Montreal many times, but never for the GP. Being there for a Ferrari win would be nice, it's been quite a while.

3 day general admission this yr was around £150. And we normally camp at whittlebury park right next door. Which is good has good facilities and most drivers and team bosses stAy at the hotel there and you often get to see them coming and going (and they sign autographs )as you walk past in the morning and evening which is a bonus.

Tempted to buy T15 Premium Zone 4 day pass for the Australian GP. Works out to be about £165.00.

My cousin moved out to Melbourne in August, so got somewhere to stay, and I'm a travel agent, so sorting flights won't be a problem.

Any advice from people who have attended before would be welcome. Done GA at Silverstone a couple of times so know the score from that point of view, just advice on best places to be for each day really, and what time to get to circuit also.

Thanks

Simon

Does anybody have any tips on how to get into after parties? I stumbled upon Red Bull's party in Austin but it was by invite only.

I went to Montreal last year. After the race you were allowed onto the track for the podium celebrations (if you were in the Gold or Silver stands). We walked the track afterwards and nobody seemed to stop us. It's pretty long though, we gave up after about 10 minutes. Not sure if you can gain access to the track on the Monday.

Montreal was amazing it had a great atmosphere all race weekend (or if you want to keep it quiet the old town is nice). I'll definitely be back next year.

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Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.

We were sitting at the hairpin and after the race, we walked all the way to the front straight. Obviously it took too long to get there in time for anything other than teams packing up.

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is part of a public park so as soon as the race is over, it immediately turns back into a publicly accessible park. I'm sure there will still be areas that will be restricted due to the clean up, however.

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twitter: @racer_nobu
blog: http://racingvacation.blogspot.com/

Has anybody been to the Turkish grand prix?
Thoughts? Ideas?

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http://www.racefan.co.uk

3 day Copse grandstand tickets for sale on the Silverstone website right now for just £15 more than general admission! Bargain. ( F1 GP 2013 )

Uncovered grandstand?

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Multi 21 or Catch 22?!

It ain't hating just 'cause it's not love

Hi all just wondering if anyone here has attended the Austin GP this year? and if so how was the hospitality of the whole event as I have won 2 tickets next year to go all expenses paid by Pirelli

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Email - kev_118@hotmail.co.uk

I have never been to a GP (though have been to Indy 500 in 2005) and out of the blue my wife offered to finance all expenses for me to attend the Spa race in 2013. I want to spend the whole racing weekend there, staying at somewhere reasonable. Any idea how much this will cost and how we go about the booking? (I don't want to misuse the wife's generosity and overspend)

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Vettel / Raikkonen / Button

Me and a mate are looking to go to Spa this year, we are thinking of just getting the bronze tickets (go anywhere) and im just wondering if the grandstands are really worth the price? we are looking to go friday-sunday. Also how close are the campsites and does anybody know the best place to buy the tickets from? thanks.

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A man exists for only a lifetime, a name lasts until the end of time.

I'm seriously looking into going to Montreal next June.

Any recommendations/feedback about the good or bad grandstands (I'm likely going with either the Silver or Bronze passes).

Also any recommendations on where to stay (definitely not looking to go overboard with 5-star hotels), but wondering if it's best to be in the downtown/Old Town areas on the river because of traffic and access? Or if that's not much of an issue and there's better value for rooms elsewhere in the area.

Thanks in advance (feel free to PM if you prefer responding that way).

Grandstands 11 and 12 (Senna S) are in my opinion best place to sit. I had gold grandstand tickets opposite pit lane when I went last year. It was definitely not the best place to sit for the race but the tickets were good because they give you access to silver bronze and general admission areas, so throughout the weekend we got to wander and find the best viewing spots. We had by far the best view when we stood around the Senna S. I'll be booking grandstand 12 tickets this year.

Stayed in the old town which was really nice but I don't think it matters where you stay the transport system is good and the track is easy to get to.

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Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.

Thanks, I was wondering about 11 & 12 also from looking at the circuit map.

With Grandstand 11, it mentions you can see the exit of pit lane, and the Senna S... does it also give you a pretty good look beyond to the straight/start ahead of T1?

If so, I think I'm leaning that way as 12 wouldn't appear to offer that line of sight because of the angle (though 12 might have a better view of cars going from 2 into 3.)

It depends where you're sitting. At the far end of 12 (away from pit exit) you'd get a good view of Senna S the pit exit and not a great view, but a view, of the next straight. If you're at the far left of stand 11 you'd get a view of the straight but not a great view of any corners.

However, in between 11 and 12 there's a space where you can view. It's not open to general admission but to silver and gold ticket holders so it's never too busy. Loads of people just stood/sat in the gap to watch, you get a great view there, it's really close to the track and it's a great atmosphere everybody was cheering/drinking etc but it's not too rowdy. There's small grass bank as well where you can sit under stand 12 about 2 feet from the track (behind a fence). Spent most of the weekend there even though I had gold tickets. So if you're unhappy with your seat you can still get a good view.

Though for a seat as close as you can get to the far left of 12 and the far right of 11 is in my opinion the best spot.

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Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.

Thanks for all the feedback, that helps! The circuit maps can really only tell you so much when it comes to what you'll actually be able to see (with COTA that was very true because of the elevation changes). Sounds like just as with COTA, where in a section you are also makes a big difference. I know with Austin, I would love to get to the top of the section I was in in T3 this past year as from row 8 the tops of the tented VIP sections across the way blocked the view going into T12 and on thru T15 on the far side of the circuit... but a few guys sitting next to me for the race, stood at the top during practice said they could see over those sections and see much of the action T12-T15 as well as a better view of the straight/DRS zone leading into that complex because the top rows provided enough elevation. With Montreal, Stands #11 and #12 are good, with the possibility of being even better if you're in the right part of the stands.

I'm also guessing from those sections, getting to position to watch the podium ceremonies shouldn't be a problem, which would be a good plus.

Hi folks, an aussie here, who can hardly wait for the new season.

Me and my girlfriend are planning to go on a Mediterranean tour in May 2013.

This will include the 2013 SPANISH GRAND PRIX and 2013 MONACO GRAND PRIX.

I would like to know:

1. Best accommodation for Circuit de Catalunya. Something on the coast/with a nice view would be good, but not too pricey. We also want to be close to Barca nightlife.
2. Transport from the city to the circuit? I've heard there are trains etc. to Montmelo, and maybe a shuttle bus from train station to the circuit? Or a long walk...I don't mind just as long as it's easy.
3. Best place to watch qualy and race from? As my girlfriend is fluent in Spanish I am thinking that this event might be better spent in general admission so we can mix it with the people a bit. Where is the best spot for general admission? Are there any grandstand tickets/ track positions that are worth it?

After the Barcelona event I am planning to fly her to Naples where we will spend a couple of days, then drive to Bologna / Imola (the Senna memorial) / Modena (the Ferrari Museum)....I want to eat at Trattoria Romagnola and stay in Suite 200, Hotel Castello.....then onto Cannes for the film festival. A question to Europeans...is driving a hire car from one country into another easy to organise? Any hints? Do you know any good deals where I can leave the car in Cannes after the Monaco event?

We will also need to organise accommodation in southern France. I know it will be expensive, but I'm seeking somewhere comfortable, beautiful and within easy travelling distance (a walk or short taxi ride preferably) of the Monaco circuit without breaking the bank. Any hints?

I'm thinking of doing Casino Square on the Saturday and tickets for Grandstand K (Tabac) for the race. What do people who have been there think about this?

Is there anyway we can go for a swim in the Red Bull pool post-race

All suggestions are welcome. This will be a life-long dream-come-true for me and her. I want it to go smoothly.

Thank you in advance

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‘Ayrton had taken pole and now Alain said to me: “where the f*** did he find that time? How the hell can he be that quick?” In the corner, Senna…he looked up and winked at me. Ayrton had a look in his eye that said, “I’ve done it.”
Jo Ramírez

Just a bit of info for anyone who doesn't mind camping. I've been to spa three times and silverstone twice and have camped most of those times at the CampingF1 sites (pre-erected tents, marquee, bar, entertainment, showers & loos, etc). I would recommend them definitely. Especially Spa where they lay on a bus to get you to/from the circuit (although we drove last time for more flexibility with time). Last time we were at Spa they had Jake Humphries as a special guest and the time before that was the old, old stig from Top Gear. And some good, but slightly cheesy bands for the entertainment.

If Turkey happens this year we are thinking of going - any travel tips?

Hi all,

Just booked up the British Grand Prix weekend through newmarket holidays and got grandstand seats on the National Pits Straight. Could anyone tell me what the view is like from here? is it good? Thanks.

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Valtteri Bottas and Williams F1 team fan

Hey

Just booked my Barcelona GP tickets 3 Days grandstand tickets the same price as Silverstone general admission

cant wait..

Just got my ticket to the Montreal GP, Grandstand 24. First live race. So excited I can hardly sleep. As none of my friends have any love of F1 at all I am going alone to both Montreal and the GP. Had to go before the engine regulations change.

Hotels for one are a bit pricey though. Does anyone have any experience camping in that area? Any recommendations?